Bahamian Gay Award-Winner "Children of God" Picked Up by TLA

An image from Kareem Mortimer's "Children of God." [Image courtesy of TLA]

TLA Releasing has just announced they are handling theatrical and small screen distribution of Kareem Mortimer's "Children of God" in North America and the UK. The gay Bahamian film, made in a country that has banned screenings of "Brokeback Mountain," was embraced at the Bahamas International Film Festival. It went on to win awards at NewFest, the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, and more.

"Children of God" follows the trajectory of three characters: Lena (Margaret Kemp), a conservative wife of a secretly gay evangelical preacher; Romeo (Stephen Tyrone Williams), a young black man who must deal with hiding his sexuality from his family; and Jonny (Johnny Ferro), a white Bahamian art school student who is figuring out his own identity.

The deal was made by TLA's President and Director of Acquisitions Raymond Murray, in negotiations with Steven Beer, working on behalf of Daybreak Productions.

Murray noted on the film in a statement, "'Children of God' is an entertaining and inspiring romantic drama as well at a powerful social critique of the destructiveness of homophobia. It is one of the most important gay-themed films of recent years, and TLA is proud to be able to distribute the film. Kareem is a talented filmmaker and we expect the film to find an enthusiastic response from a variety of audiences."

In a statement, director Mortimer added, "This is a very important film for my country, the Caribbean region and the wider world. In a time where violence against gays and persons who are perceived to be gay at the forefront of everyone’s mind I hope our film can help illuminate some of the issues that drive persons to violence. I am very happy for TLA Releasing to be a home for our film and their level of excitement and commitment to the title assures me that 'Children of God' will be given the best possible chance to connect with an audience."